Currently, I am living in a city, and I do gardening on my balcony, growing some vegetables. So, I know there are many tools that a gardener needs. In this article, I am going to be discussing the most essential tools for any garden.
So, whether you are gardening on the balcony or in the backyard or you have a bigger field, I will tell you about the most essential tools that I personally use. And essential tools for large gardens, too, as my grandfather and uncle used.
Hand Tools vs. Power Tools
We can divide gardening tools into two categories. First, hand tools, like pruning scissors. And the second is stronger tools, like lawnmowers. Also, we use them by hand.
Basically, handy tools can be used for balcony terraces or backyard gardening. On the other hand, powerful tools are needed for big gardens.
Essential Hand Tools for Every Gardener
Let us first discuss handy tools that every gardener needs. Especially the home gardener who is just growing some veggies on the balcony or in the backyard.
Trowel
The trowel is the first tool that I want you to have for gardening. You can use it when sowing seeds, transplanting plants, digging some holes, etc.
Here are reasons why you should have a trowel tool for gardening.
- For digging holes to plant.
- You can also use it to transplant little plants and seedlings.
- It can be used for mixing soil.
- Removing weeds between plants
- Aerating and loosing compact soil so that it can contain air.
When you are choosing a trowel, I would like you to pay attention to some important factors, such as material. It needs to be stainless. And then second is comfort and size.
You can look for around 6-inch trowels. They are good for any gardener. Even in my home, my mother uses it, I use it, and I have some siblings who also use it. So it’s perfect for everyone.
One more thing you can look for is a trowel handle that should be made of non-slip material like wood or high-quality plastic for better grip.
Pruning Shears (Secateurs)
Pruning shears are also important for maintaining your plant’s appearance, like cutting yellow leaves, dead leaves, etc. to maintain it.
Why you do pruning:
- You have to prune to robust plant growth.
- Maintain desirable shape and size
- You can also remove dead leaves or any diseased branches, etc., so that disease won’t separate the whole plant.
Pruning Shears types
They mainly come under the types of Bypass Pruners and Anvil Pruners.
Bypass rulers are quite similar to scissors because their blades pass by each other. Anvil pruners can be used to cut woody stems. Actually, they are much more powerful than bypass pruners.
Which one you should choose totally depends on you. Currently, I have both, and I do use them. However, I would like you to consider a suitable size for yourself.
Bypass pruners are versatile for any gardener, especially when you’re gardening for yourself in the backyard or balcony, so if you are new to gardening, I would suggest you go with this one.
Hand Fork
A Hand Fork is also known as a hand cultivator. And you can also get this essential tool for loosening soil and removing weeds.
Here are some more reasons why you can consider having it.
- It can be used for loosening and aerating compacted soil.
- Mixing and amending compost or fertilizer into soil
- Removing weeds and cultivating without damaging the plant’s root, especially when you have closed space between your plant.
When you’re selecting a hand fork, make sure it is made of forged steel. Plus, you can look for tines that are thick and sturdy, and you can choose one that fits your comfort. Make sure it shouldn’t be too heavy. Or too large.
Gardening Gloves
How can we forget gardening gloves? It is one of the most essential tools that you will need for regular routine check-ups of your plants.
Because you won’t like to get your hands dirty. Or any thorns attacking you or any chemicals you would like to avoid.
That’s why I recommend you to have a pair of gardening gloves. They can prevent painful cuts, skin aeration, scabs, etc. So, for your safety, you can consider investing in good gardening love.
Tips for choosing gardening gloves
When you are buying gardening gloves, you want to look for a few things, such as durability; durable gardening gloves are made of abrasion-resistant materials like leather canvas or reinforced synthetic fabric.
The second is flexibility, so you want to ensure the range of motion and dexterity that you can easily hold any gardening tool, like a trowel, when you are wearing gloves.
Lastly, you want to ensure that your gloves are waterproof because you are going to be involved in gardening, and you will have to work with wet soil, dirty soil, etc.
Weeder
Weeding is one of the biggest problems that I have faced while gardening. And that’s not just with me. It happens almost with every gardener.
That’s why you can have a weeder tool for gardening. It can make your weed removal task much more manageable and easier.
It won’t be wrong to say that it’s a must-have tool. Because if we don’t remove weeds, it won’t let our plants grow smoothly. And I can’t even imagine it because I grow chilies and tomatoes, etc., on my balcony.
Weeders come in different styles, and they all have different uses. But the main motive is the same: removing weeds.
However, one of them is the Hoi weeder, and the second is the claw weeder, Hand Cultivator, and Dandelion weeder. You can go with a dandelion weeder for small gardening, like a backyard or balcony, because they are small and easy to maneuver.
Power tools for large gardens
Now, we have discussed a lot about small tools for a small garden, like a balcony and backyard. Now let’s know about some of the most powerful tools that you can use if you have a little bit bigger garden or a lawn.
Lawn Mowers
If you have a big garden, a lawnmower is the first powerful tool that you would like to have. They come in different types of sizes and shapes, like gas-powered lawnmowers, manual lawnmowers, electric lawnmowers, etc.
Now, when you are choosing a lawn mower, make sure to consider some factors such as, for ¼ acres, you can look for an electric or manual lawn mower,
For medium sizes ¼ acre to 1 acre, you can look for a gas-powered or self-propelled mower, and for a large garden which is over 1 acre, you can look for a riding lawn mower for maximum efficiency.
Also, you can choose based on your personal preference. Electric movers are quieter and easier to start, but they have limited runtime. On the other hand, gas-powered mowers offer more power, but they require more maintenance.
And lastly, they are eco-friendly, but they require more physical effort. So now it’s your choice which one you choose.
Leaf Blower
If you have a large space outdoor garden, then a leaf blower is another tool that you can look up to. It will provide effective clearing of fallen leaves, grass clippings, and other garden debris.
Especially in the fall season, it will be very helpful for you, as you can save time with its help, compared to manual raking.
Why should you have leaf blowers for large gardens?
There are basically two types of leaf blowers: electric and gas-powered.
When you are choosing electric, they will be a little quieter during operation. And you won’t have to pay money for gasoline and oil. They are also lighter-weight and more maneuverable.
On the other hand, when you are choosing a gas-powered leaf blower, they are more powerful and can handle large debris, so they usually have longer run times without the need to be recharged.
However, they are louder during operation and make sound. Plus, they also require regular maintenance like oil changes, air filter cleaning, etc.
I personally think if you have got a medium-sized garden, then you can go with an electric leaf blower. It is sufficient and more convenient. But if you have an expensive outdoor space or want to clear heavy, wet leaves, I would suggest you have a gas-powered model.
Hedge Trimmer
If you have a large area and you want to groom it well, then you would like to have a hedge trimmer.
They can help you maintain the shape and size of hedges, shrubs, and other ornamental plantings. They can also quickly trim back overgrown foliage and remove dead branches to keep plants healthy and appear more good-looking.
Just like leaf blowers, hedge trimmers also come in three main types. Manual hedge trimmers, electric hedge trimmers, and gas-powered hedge trimmers.
So, when you are choosing a hedge trimmer, make sure to consider your garden size and plant density. And after that, you can look for your personal preference in hedge trimmers. For example, if you want a quiet one that doesn’t make too much noise, you can go with an electric hedge trimmer.
On the other hand, if you have a large area that is too dense, then you can look up to a gas-powered hedge trimmer.
They are generally louder than electric models, but they can handle thicker and woodier growth pretty easily.
As I said before about leaf blowers, you can use electric hedge trimmers for small gardening and gas-powered ones for large and heavy trimming.
Specialty tools for advanced gardeners
Till now, we have discussed the tools that you need for balcony and backyard gardening and some tools that you need for large gardens, such as lawn movers, etc.
But now it’s time to talk about advanced gardening tools that I have seen my grandfather using and that you will also need as they are the most essential tools for gardening.
Garden hoe
A garden hoe is another versatile tool that you can use with your hand to prepare and maintain large planting beds and gardens. It is perfect for breaking up and turning soil over and managing weeds.
Why you should have a garden hoe?
- For loosening and aerating compacted soil.
- To create furrows for planting seeds and bulbs.
- Uprooting and removing weeds.
- Mixing amendments like compost or fertilizer.
- To smooth and level garden beds.
Although most gardening hoes are almost the same but, there are still different varieties, such as draw hoe, scuffle hoe, also known as stirrup hoe, dutch hoe, and swan neck hoe. You can choose any of them, and they will work in the same way.
Wheelbarrow
If you have got a large garden, I would highly suggest you have a wheelbarrow. It is an invaluable tool for any gardener. Especially when they have a large outdoor space, you can use it for transporting soil, compost, plants, and other heavy materials efficiently.
When you are choosing a wheel borrower, make sure to look for some factors, such as material. For example, long-lasting wheelbarrows are made of high-quality materials like steel and heavy-duty plastic. That’s why you want to avoid cheaper models.
And if we talk about wheelbarrow capacity, then it can range from 2 to 8 cubic feet or even more. So you can consider a size, depending on your gardening project, how much weight you will need to carry on. And depending on that, you can choose a wheel drawer.
However, I would like you to pay attention to some of the good features, such as pneumatic (air-filled) tires for easier maneuverability and reinforced handles for weight-bearing components, balanced designed for stability when it is fully loaded and lastly, it needs to have rusi-resident hardware and coatings.
Garden Rake
A Garden Rake is another important tool for maintaining a well-kept and healthy garden. This is very simple but important. You can use a garden rake to keep soil smooth and remove debris.
There are two types of rake that you can consider having. Leaf Rake and Soil Rake
Leaf rakes: They have flexible, wide tines made of plastic and other flexible metal. And they quickly remove large volumes of leaves and other debris. So, they are best for cleaning up fallen leaves and other organic matter.
Soil rakes: They have rigid and narrower tines made of sturdy metals, and they are better for smoothing and leveling soil in planting beds. You can also use them for light debris removal, but they’re not as effective as leaf rackers for large piles.
Budget-friendly vs. premium gardening tools
I don’t really care about whether they are budget-friendly or premium. For me, the main point is whether they are useful or not. Am I feeling comfortable with those tools, and whether they are reliable or not? That’s it.
So, that’s why when you are also trying to figure out the best tools for yourself, then you should be looking for comfort and what you need based on garden size, work you’ll do, etc.
When should you Invest in premium gardening tools?
If you are an experienced gardener who wants to use tools frequently, then I suggest you invest in high-quality and premium tools. I know they are expensive, but you will use them frequently. Plus, they are made of good materials like stainless steel or carbon steel.
They are excellent choices for durability. Plus, they also improve performance because they often have sharp edges, and they are comfy and ergonomic.
When budget gardening tools are efficient?
If you are a beginner gardener who is just starting gardening as a beginner or as a hobby, then I would suggest you go for a budget tool because you might have a small garden. But still, you can’t compromise with the quality, even when you are investing in cheap gardening tools.
Gardening tools maintenance and care
Well, we don’t usually buy gardening tools frequently, just like we buy seeds for different seasons. That’s why it is always important to take care of your tools.
Here are some basic gardening tools maintenance tips:
Cleaning: After working, you can wipe down your tool to remove dirt, debris, and moisture. You can also use sandpaper or wire brush to remove any rust. If you have metal tools, then you can surely apply a light coat of oil to prevent rust.
Sharpening: Keep the blade of your tool sharp; for example, if you have pruning shears or hoes, you can sharpen them regularly. For that, you can use a sharpening stone, plus you want to avoid power tools, which can overheat and damage the temper of the metal.
Oiling: It is very important to prevent rust because it can decrease the life of your tool. To prevent rust, you can apply a thin layer of lightweight machine oil to the metal surface. Oiling not only helps prevent rust but also helps you work smoothly.
Proper Storage: You want to store your tools in a properly dry and protected area like a shed, garage, or tool chest. Plus, you can place your tools in a way where they don’t get damaged. For long-term storage, I would suggest you warp metal parts in oil-treated cloth or paper.
If you follow these simple gardening tools maintenance tips, you will ensure that your tools remain in peak condition for years.
